Chapter 490 - 328: Lady Lord Su Qin (5)
Chapter 490: Chapter 328: Lady Lord Su Qin (5)
"The second option is simply to resist—to become part of the resistance ourselves.
"This time, the Alien Race has chosen General Yan Ling as their target. We could pledge our allegiance to General Yan Ling, turn on them on the battlefield, and backstab the Alien Race.
"But if we choose this path, we will likely never have a peaceful life again.
"We would certainly have to leave Stream Village and be constantly on the move with General Yan Ling.
"Moreover, judging by the current situation, the Alien Race still holds the absolute advantage.
"While we could escape the Alien Race’s exploitation for now, we would be relentlessly hunted and pursued by them afterward.
"There would never be a day of peace.
"Do you want to die on your feet or live on your knees? Everyone, choose!"
After saying this, Zhao Shizhang slumped back into his chair.
It wasn’t that he lacked Physical Strength; he was simply emotionally drained.
The entire fate of the Zhao Family rested on this choice.
After he finished speaking, the murmur of discussion among the Lords actually died down.
Everyone was lost in thought.
Should they choose to be the frog in slowly boiling water, gradually bled dry and worked to death?
Or should they make a clean break, say "fuck it," and if they died, they died?
To act directly would be cathartic.
It was passionate, spirited, and heroic.
But...
Most people still wanted to live.
Even if they were being slowly boiled, at least the water was still just warm. They could live a while longer.
Who knew if things might change later on?
The nobles they once thought untouchable had become beaten dogs overnight, now hiding in the central regions, not daring to show their faces.
So in the future, might the same thing happen to this Alien Race?
As long as you’re alive, there’s hope.
There was truth in that, but if everyone thought that way, things would never change.
They would be slaves forever, forever be crushed under the heel of the Alien Race.
That was also true, but...
The sounds of discussion gradually grew louder, even turning into arguments.
’Of the two options, the first one was most beneficial for him.’
’Lie low, bide his time.’
’That path offered the most stable development.’
’But he still chose the second option.’
’He could feel it in his Genes, that trace of fiery blood burning within him.’
’The call to charge seemed to have already sounded.’
’One after another, the most beloved people had already charged forward.’
’In another world, another time, another history of rebellion.’
’That moment then was just like this moment now.’
’It wasn’t a rational choice, but someone had to be irrational and charge first to inspire the rational to charge alongside them.’
’Zhao Chi considered himself a rational person, but for once, he was willing to be irrational.’
The voting began.
Zhao Shizhang scanned the room.
"Everyone, take another minute to think. Don’t be impulsive, don’t follow the herd. Vote according to your own convictions."
"Based on the principle of the minority yielding to the majority, we must all accept the outcome of this vote."
"Even if the outcome is bad, at least it will be one we chose."
"We chose this path, so we will bear the consequences."
"Now, let the voting begin. Those who choose the first option—to maintain the status quo—please raise your hands."
No one raised their hand.
Everyone was waiting to see what others would do.
After a moment, Zhao Qizong raised his hand. "Let me just say..."
Zhao Shizhang immediately cut him off. "Qizong, stop. No one is to speak right now. Do not interfere with their choice."
Zhao Qizong sighed, his arm still held high.
Soon, Zhao Hong raised his hand, followed by Zhao Qizu, Zhao Cang, Zhao Jing...
Everyone was silently counting.
Su Qin looked toward Zhao Chi, whose expression was grim and unreadable.
The people around Su Qin had also raised their hands, but she kept her eyes on Zhao Chi, waiting for his decision.
After a while, Zhao Shizhang said, "Alright. Now for the second option. Those who choose to resist and join General Yan Ling’s World-breaking Army, please raise your hands."
Zhao Chi raised his hand. Su Qin immediately followed suit, as did Zhao Qiye, Zhao Huang...
Zhao Shizhang nodded.
"Alright, everyone put your hands down. Let’s begin the second round of voting. Those for the second option, raise your hands."
"...Alright, hands down. Now, those for the first option, raise your hands."
"Okay, everyone put them down."
"In both votes, more people chose the first option—over half each time."
"To be honest, I personally favor the second option."
"But so as not to influence the outcome, I abstained from voting."
"Besides, I’m old now. I might live for a few more decades, maybe even a century, but you all have much more time ahead of you."
"I can’t hold you all back for my own sake."
"So, we will continue on like this. This is the family’s choice, and we must all respect the result."
"Everyone will continue to address the Alien Race as the Holy Race. As for the 10,000 Gold Coins, give your respective shares to Zhao Hong."
"This meeting is now over. Everyone, go back and prepare for the battle in three days."
"Dismissed!"
With that, Zhao Shizhang vanished, returning to his territory.
He clearly did not like this outcome.
But since the majority had chosen, he respected their decision.
No one left. They all remained, still arguing.
But it was pointless now.
Seeing that the vote hadn’t gone his way, Su Qin comforted him, "Zhao Chi, it’s alright. Maybe this is for the best. At least we’ll have stability for a while. I’m sure things will take a turn for the better eventually."
Zhao Chi shook his head.
He felt that the Flame in his Inner Heart hadn’t been extinguished; on the contrary, it was burning even more fiercely.
’This is nothing.’
’Just a small decision.’
’A good number of people voted for the second option just now—at least a third of them.’
’The Zhao Family isn’t the only one in Snowfield City. Someone is bound to fight back.’
’And across the entire Human race, there are sure to be many who will resist.’
’So, I’ll just keep developing and accumulating Power.’
Zhao Chi smiled in response. "Don’t worry, it’s nothing. We should get going, it’s almost 10 o’clock."
Su Qin smiled. "It’s fine. For the Magical Beast matching, we just need to hit today’s quota. No need to watch the clock so closely. Fourth Brother is collecting the money, let’s go pay him. Do you have enough?"
"I have enough. You?"
"I’m fine too. Didn’t we just collect a bunch of Gold Coins?"
They had to pay 10,000 Gold Coins.
Based on his previous 0.2% share, Zhao Chi needed to contribute 20 Gold Coins, an amount he could easily afford.